The present disclosure generally relates to water purification and, in particular, relates to an Internet of Things (IoT) enabled multi-stage water purifier.
BACKGROUND
Pure or clean or potable drinking water is essential for the good health of human beings. However, available natural water resources are getting scarcer and polluted. With the advent of technology, many techniques have been designed apart from natural water purification techniques to provide clean drinking water. Examples of these techniques include Reverse Osmosis (RO), Ultra-Filtration (UF) purification, Ultra Violet (UV) purification, and multi-stage purification. In RO, membrane(s) is used to remove dissolved salts, bacteria and other impurities from the water. In UF purification, membrane(s) is used to remove impurities like particulate matter, pathogenic organisms, etc., from the water. In UV purification, UV light is used to kill germs and bacteria in the water. In multi-stage purification, any combination of RO, UV purification, and UF purification is used to completely remove bacteria, germs, and other harmful pollutants from the water.
However, in a typical multi-stage purification having a combination of RO, UV purification, and UF purification, a major portion of water is discarded as wastewater during RO filtration (approximately 70%). Such wastewater is simply discarded as the same is not used for any other purposes. Many solutions are therefore developed to reduce such huge loss of water during RO purification.
By way of example, IN Application 1583/DEL/2015 (now granted as IN Patent 319333) describes a RO based potable water system that includes a feed water inlet means configured to receive feed water, a first set of one or more filters configured in series to process the feed water to yield pre-treated feed water, a first RO unit configured to process the pre-treated feed water, a first pure water outlet to output pure water, a first reject water outlet, a piping unit configured with a non-return valve, wherein the piping unit is configured to supply the feed water to a junction point preceding the second RO unit where the pre-treated feed water is mixed with reject water from the first RO unit wherein the resultant mixed water is supplied to a second set of one or more filters and thereafter to a second RO unit configured to treat the mixed water. In an aspect, the piping unit is configured to maintain required flow and appropriate pressure level of the mixed water that is supplied to the second set of one or more filters so as to get a high yield of pure water and minimize the risk of damage to semipermeable membranes of the second RO unit. Such RO-based potable water system increases the yield of pure water from RO filtration units while reducing wastage of feed water.
However, such RO-based potable water system is unable to work under high pressure conditions. Also, such RO-based potable water system is not apt for use in the home. In addition, such RO-based potable water system is unable to quantify and compensate for Alkalinity, pH and mineral losses in the water. Also, such RO-based potable water system is prone to product bursting, scaling issues, membrane losses, leakages, and servicing issues.
Thus, as can be seen, there exists a need to overcome at least one of the aforementioned problems.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-stage water purifier that can provide an improved yield of pure water from RO filtration units.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-stage water purifier with a combination of series and parallel purification for providing potable water.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-stage water purifier that reduces wastage of water up to 80% under normal conditions.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-stage water purifier that can provide pH Balanced and mineral rich potable water as per WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality, ISBN: 978-92-4-154995-0 and Indian Standards, IS 10500 : 2012 for Drinking Water.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-stage water purifier that maintains appropriate flow and appropriate quality of feed water at different stages to get a high yield of product water.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-stage water purifier that can minimize the risk of damage to the water purifier due to high pressure developed due to scaling and semipermeable membranes at different stages of the water purifier.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-stage water purifier that enables real-time monitoring of water flow and quality of water.
In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above, it should be noted that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified format that is further described in the detailed description of the present disclosure. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. In accordance with the purposes of the disclosure, the present disclosure as embodied and broadly described herein describes a multi-stage water purifier that can provide high recovery of product water thereby reducing the wastage of water.
In an embodiment, the present invention discloses a water purifier including a first Reverse Osmosis (RO) unit adapted to receive water from an inlet feed pipeline and a second RO unit adapted to receive water from at least the inlet feed pipeline. The water purifier also includes an adsorbent unit disposed downstream to the first RO unit. The adsorbent unit is adapted to receive waste water from the first RO unit and filter the received wastewater for introducing the filtered waste water to the second RO unit. The water purifier further includes a non-return valve disposed between the inlet feed pipeline and the second RO unit, and adapted to control water flow and maintain adequate back pressure on a feed side of the second RO unit. In the water purifier, the first RO unit and the second RO unit are adapted to operate either in series or in parallel for filtering water, based on a position of the non-return valve.
In another embodiment, the present invention discloses a water purifier including a first Reverse Osmosis (RO) unit adapted to receive water from an inlet feed pipeline and a second RO unit adapted to receive water from at least the inlet feed pipeline. The water purifier also includes an adsorbent unit disposed downstream to the first RO unit. The adsorbent unit is adapted to receive wastewater from the first RO unit and filter the received wastewater for introducing the filtered wastewater to the second RO unit. The water purifier further includes a non-return valve disposed between the inlet feed pipeline and the second RO unit and adapted to control water flow and maintain adequate back pressure on a feed side of the second RO unit. In the water purifier, the first RO unit and the second RO unit are adapted to operate either in series or in parallel for filtering water, based on a position of the non-return valve. The water purifier also includes a control unit adapted to be in communication with at least one of the first RO unit, the second RO unit, the adsorbent unit, and the non-return valve. The control unit receives, in real-time, details relating to the quality of water at different stages in the water purifier and controls operation of at least one of the first RO unit, the second RO unit, the adsorbent unit, and the non-return valve, based on the received details.
To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a multi-stage water purifier, according to one embodiment of the present subject matter;
FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of the multi-stage water purifier, according to another embodiment of the present subject matter; and
FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of the-multi-stage water purifier, according to one another embodiment of the present subject matter.
Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.
Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
Embodiments of the present subject matter are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a multi-stage water purifier 100, according to one embodiment of the present subject matter. The multi-stage water purifier 100 includes a first stage unit 1001, a second stage unit 1002, and a third stage unit 1003 connected to enable water entering an inlet 202 to travel through the first stage unit 1001, the second stage unit 1002 and the third stage unit 1003, thereby undergoing the multi-stage purification process to provide pH balanced and mineral rich water through outlet 206.
In an embodiment, the first stage unit 1001 includes a set of filters. The filters include, but are not limited to, a first micron filter 138, a second micron filter 140, and an activated carbon filter 142. The first micron filter 138 is connected to supply pipeline and receives inlet water from the inlet 202. The first micron filter 138 removes dirt and sand particles from the inlet water and supplies the filtered inlet water to the second micron filter 140. The first micron filter 138 can be a sediment filter. The second micron filter 140 is embedded with anti-scalents or zeolites or resins to soften the filtered inlet water. The second micron filter 140 removes dirt and sand particles of very small size from the filtered inlet water and supplies filtered water to the activated carbon filter 142. The second micron filter 140 may include but is not limited to, UV filter, UF filter, and softener. The activated carbon filter 142 adsorbs organic matter from the filtered water and supplies the pre-treated water to the first pump 114 in the second stage unit 1002. The activated carbon filter 142 may be embedded with any of zeolites or anti scalents to adsorb organic matter from the filtered water.
In an embodiment, the first stage unit 1001 further includes a solenoid valve 150 and an inlet valve 152 connected between the inlet 202 and the first micron filter 138. The solenoid valve 150 blocks the flow of inlet water coming from direct water supply line in no electricity situation. The inlet valve 152 controls the flow and pressure of the inlet water from the direct water supply line. The solenoid valve 150 and the inlet valve 152 may be connected one after another between the inlet 202 and the first micron filter 138 in any sequence, in the multi-stage water purifier 100.
In an embodiment, the first stage unit 1001 may include a first low pressure switch 154 disposed upstream to the first micron filter 138. Further, a second low pressure switch 156 may be disposed between the first micron filter 138 and the second micron filter 140. Similarly, a third low pressure switch 158 may be disposed between the activated carbon filter 142 and an inlet feed pipeline 118. The inlet feed pipeline is further connecting the first pump 114 in the second stage unit 1002. The first low pressure switch 154, the second low pressure switch 156, and the third low pressure switch 158 may be adapted to detect a flow of water. In case low flow of water is detected by any of the first low pressure switch 154, the second low pressure switch 156 or the third low pressure switch 158, then the low pressure switch (514, 156 or 158) blocks the further flow of inlet water. Further, the inlet feed pipeline 118 supplies pre-treated feed water from the filters 138, 140 and 142 to the first pump 114.
In an embodiment, the second stage unit 1002 includes two Reverse Osmosis (RO) units or membranes, namely, a first RO unit 102 and a second RO unit 104. The second state unit 1002 may also include an adsorbent unit 106 disposed downstream to the first RO unit 102. The first RO unit 102 and the second RO unit 104 may be adapted to receive pre-treated water from the first stage unit 1001 through the inlet feed pipeline 118 The first RO unit 102 and the second RO unit 104 may include membranes or semi-permeable elements to remove salts and ions from the water. Examples of the membranes include, but are not limited to, RO membrane, nano membrane, Ultra-Filtration (UF) membrane, graphene, and carbon tubes. As such, the first RO unit 102 and the second RO unit 104 output filtered water.
Further, the adsorbent unit 106 may be adapted to receive wastewater from the first RO unit 102 and filter the received wastewater for introducing the filtered wastewater to the second RO unit 104. The adsorbent unit 106 may include filter elements to filter the retentate from the first RO unit 102 before supplying to the second RO unit 104. As such, the adsorbent unit 106 feeds a pre-treated retentate into the second RO unit 104. Examples of the filter elements include, but are not limited to, zeolites, anti-scalents, ioniser, softeners, and activated charcoal.
The second stage unit 1002 also includes a non-return valve 108 disposed between the inlet feed pipeline 118 and the second RO unit 104. The non-return valve 108 may be a one way flow valve and adapted to control the flow and maintain adequate back pressure on feed side of the second RO unit 104. Maintaining of back pressure in the feed side of the second RO unit 104 may ensure reverse osmosis pressure that is essential for adequate filtration from the second RO unit 104. The first RO unit 102 and the second RO unit 104 may be adapted to operate either in series or in parallel for filtering water, based on a position of the non-return valve 108.
In an embodiment, the first RO unit 102 and the second RO unit 104 are configured in series such that retentate (also referred to as “reject water” or “waste water”) from the first RO unit 102 is fed as input to the second RO unit 104 after passing through the adsorbent unit 106. Therefore, the second RO unit 104 may be adapted to receive feed of the waste water of the first RO unit 102 filtered through the adsorbent unit 106, when the first RO unit 102 and the second RO unit (104) are operating in series. In another embodiment, the first RO unit 102 and a second RO unit 104 are configured in parallel through the non-return valve 108 to get an additional yield of pre-treated water. The non-return valve 108 is configured in such a way to avoid flow mismatch by balancing water to be used between pre-treated water received from the inlet feed pipeline 118 and the wastewater from the adsorbent unit 106.
The water purifier 100 may also include a high pressure switch 110 and a flow controller 112 connected between the first RO unit 102 and the adsorbent unit 106. Particularly, the flow controller 112 may be disposed between the high-pressure switch 110 and the adsorbent unit 106. The high pressure switch 110 may be adapted to detect high flow or pressure in the multi-stage water purifier 100. Further, the flow controller 112 may be adapted to control the flow of water across the membranes of the adsorbent unit 106 and builds pressure required for filtration in the adsorbent unit 106 based on the pressure detected by the high-pressure switch 110. Examples of the flow controller 112 may include but are not limited to, a pressure builder and a needle valve.
In an embodiment, the operating parameters of the membranes of the adsorbent unit 106 include flow rate in the range of 5-20 LPH (Litres Per Hour), maximum operating pressure in the range of 30-150 PSI (pounds per square inch), and salt rejection in the range of 90-98%. In an example, the operating parameters of the RO units or membranes include flow rate in the range of 0-500 LPH, maximum operating pressure in the range of 0-150 PSI or above, and salt rejection in the range of 0-100%. As would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, the ranges of flow rate, the pressure, and the salt rejection are provided as mere examples and therefore should not be construed as limiting in anyway. In other embodiment, these ranges may vary depending on the application, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
In an embodiment, the second stage unit 1002 of the multi-stage water purifier 100 further includes a first pump 114 and a second pump 116. The first pump 114 may be disposed between the inlet feed pipeline 118 and the first RO unit 102 in the second stage unit 1002. The second pump 116 may be disposed between the inlet feed pipeline 118 and the second RO unit 104 the second stage unit 1002. The pre-treated water coming from the inlet feed pipeline 118 is equally distributed to the first pump 114 and the second pump 116. The first pump 114 feeds pre-treated water from inlet feed pipeline 118 to the first RO unit 102. The second pump 116 feeds retentate from the first RO unit 102 to the second RO unit 104. The first pump 114 and the second pump 116 overcome the osmotic pressure in the first RO unit 102 and the second RO unit 104, respectively, to facilitate filtration of water. The first pump 114 and the second pump 116 are connected with a first adapter Switched-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) 120 and a second adapter SMPS 122 respectively. The first adapter SMPS 120 and the second adapter SMPS 122 convert an input alternate current to direct current output.
In an embodiment, the pumps 114, 116 are Direct Current (DC) operated pumps. Therefore, the operating parameters of the pumps include pressure in the range of 30-110 PSI, current in the range of 2-3 A, flow rate in the range of 5-25 LPH, voltage at 24 VDC (Volts Direct Current), and working range of 50-70 PSI. The operating parameter of the SMPS includes current in the range of 2-3 A (Ampere).
In another embodiment, the pumps 114, 116 are Alternate current (AC) operated pumps. Therefore, the operating parameters of the pumps include pressure in the range of 0-210 PSI, current in the range of 0-5 A, flow rate in the range of 0-500 LPH, voltage at 0-100 VDC/ 0.5 HP AC, and working range of 50-70 PSI. The operating parameter of the SMPS includes current in the range of 0-25 A.
In another embodiment, the third stage unit 1003 of the multi-stage water purifier 100 further includes an Ultra Violet (UV) and UF filtration unit 124 connected to the second pump 116. The filtration unit 124 may receive the filtered wastewater from the adsorbent unit 106 through the second pump 116. The filtration unit 124 may remove impurities such as one of particulate matter and pathogenic organisms from the received water. The UV and UF filtration unit 124 includes membrane(s) and UV light for deactivating pathogens, bacteria, and virus in the pre-treated retentate received through the second pump 116. The membrane(s) is used to remove impurities like particulate matter, pathogenic organisms, etc., from the water. The UV light is used to kill germs and bacteria in the water. The UV and UF filtration unit 124 then outputs pure water through outlet 206.
In an embodiment, the third stage unit 1003 of the multi-stage water purifier 100 further includes two mineral and pH (MpH) cartridge units, a first Mph cartridge unit 126 and a second Mph cartridge unit 128. The first Mph cartridge unit 126 is disposed downstream to the first RO unit 102 to receive pure water. The second Mph cartridge unit 128 is disposed downstream to the second RO unit 104 to receive the pure water. The first Mph cartridge unit 126 and the second Mph cartridge unit 128 include membranes, pH balls, and mineral balls to balance pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), a taste enhancer, and mineral concentration in the pure water received from the first RO unit 102 and the second RO unit 104.
The first Mph cartridge unit 126 and the second Mph cartridge unit 128 are connected to the UV and UF filtration unit 124. A water quality sensor 130 and a flow controller 132 are connected between the UV and UF filtration unit 124 and a pipe connecting the first Mph cartridge unit 126 and the second Mph cartridge unit 128. The water quality sensor 130 analyses the water from the UV and UF filtration unit 124 for presence/absence of pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), a taste enhancer, and mineral concentration. The flow controller 132 controls the flow of water across the membranes and builds pressure required for filtration in the first Mph cartridge unit 126 and the second Mph cartridge unit 128. Examples of the flow controller 132 include but not limited to pressure builder and needle valve or any flow controlling valve.
Further in an embodiment, the second RO unit 104 is connected to a pipe to output wastewater through the outlet 204. A high pressure switch 134 and a flow controller 136 are disposed downstream to the second RO unit 104. The high pressure switch 134 detects the high flow or pressure in the multi-stage water purifier 100. The flow controller 136 controls the flow of wastewater from the second RO unit 104 based on the pressure detected by the high pressure switch 134. Examples of the flow controller 132 include, but are not limited to, the pressure builder and the needle valve or any flow controlling valve.
In an embodiment, a sensor 162 is connected to output of the first Mph cartridge unit 126 and the second Mph cartridge unit 128. The sensor 162 may be adapted to detect if the first Mph cartridge unit 126 and the second Mph cartridge unit 128 are unable to balance the TDS and pH of the pure water. The sensor 162 may be adapted to provide detected information to a control unit 160. In case the control unit 160 detects mismatch between standard parameters of water and parameters of the pure water from the first Mph cartridge unit 126 and the second Mph cartridge unit 128, then the flow controller 132 is signalled by the control unit 160 to maintain the water flow.
In an embodiment, the control unit 160 in the multi-stage water purifier 100 may be a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) comprising of processor, transceivers, memory, communication interface units, etc. The control unit 160 in communication with at least one of the high pressure switch 110, the flow controller 112, the first adapter SMPS 116, the second adapter SMPS 118, the sensor 130, the flow controller 132, the high pressure switch 134, the flow controller 136, the solenoid valve 150, the inlet valve 152, the first low pressure switch 154, the second low pressure switch 156, and the third low pressure switch 158. The control unit 160 receives details relating to quality of water at different stages in the water purifier in real time. The control unit 160 may then be adapted to control operation of at least one of the high pressure switch 110, the flow controller 112, the sensor 130, the flow controller 132, the high pressure switch 134, the flow controller 136, the solenoid valve 150, the inlet valve 152, the first low pressure switch 154, the second low pressure switch 156, and the third low pressure switch 158, based on the received details.
In an embodiment, the control unit 160 is further connected with a central server and transmits all data related to the multi-stage water purifier 100 and accordingly provide service related alerts.
In operation, the high pressure switch 110 and the high pressure switch 134 detects if high pressure is built across the flow controller 112 and/or flow controller 136. If high pressure is detected, the high pressure switch 110 and the high pressure switch 134 open the flow controller 112 and the flow controller 136 for open flow through the water purifier 100. In this situation, water will flow from the non-return valve 108, the flow controller 112 and the flow controller 136 so that all water is flushed out. The control unit 160 sends the information to the central server.
The control unit 160 shuts the water purifier 100 if any of the first adapter SMPS 116, the second adapter SMPS 118, the first pump 114, and the second pump 116 fails due to electrical issue. The control unit 160 sends the information to the central server.
FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the multi-stage water purifier 100, according to another embodiment of the present subject matter. For the sake of brevity, constructional and operational features of the water purifier 100 already explained in the description of Figure 1 are not explained in the description of Figure 2. In the embodiment, the first RO unit 102 is connected with the second RO unit 104 only through the non-return valve 108.
FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the multi-stage water purifier 100, according to one another embodiment of the present subject matter. For the sake of brevity, constructional and operational features of the water purifier 100 already explained in the description of Figure 1 and Figure 2 are not explained in the description of Figure 3. In the embodiment, the first RO unit 102 is connected with the second RO unit 104 through the non-return valve 108. Also, the first RO unit 102 is connected with the UV and UF filtration unit 124.
In an embodiment, the different connections of the multi-stage water purifier 100 as shown in Figures 2 and 3 enables pure water as output even with one sided flow of water connection from either sides of the second stage unit 1002 with the third stage unit 1003.
The following provides results of testing of water as purified by an existing purifier and the purifier 100 in accordance with the present embodiment.
In an example embodiment, Table 1 illustrates details relating to the initial flow and pressure of the inlet water supplied to purifier 100 at the first stage unit and the second stage unit through the supply pipeline.

Inlet TDS 450-500 ppm
Time Inlet
Pressure Flow
in minutes in PSI in LPH
1 10 60
2 10 50
20 12.5 65
32 10 75
36 12.5 70
58 15 70
Table 1

In an example embodiment, Table 2 illustrates the TDS, pH, temperature, and quantity of water obtained after passing through the first stage unit.

Reading Time Split Time First Stage Unit
TDS pH Temperature Quantity
Minute Minutes ppm Degree Celsius ml
5 4 25 5.59 18.5 770
15 4 15 5.86 19 790
25 4 29 5.73 18 790
35 4 18 5.79 19.5 750
50 4 15 5.73 18.5 810

Table 2
In an example embodiment, Table 3 illustrates the TDS, pH, temperature, and quantity of water obtained after passing through the second stage unit.

Reading Time Split Time Second Stage Unit
TDS pH Temperature Quantity
Minute Minutes ppm Degree Celsius ml
5 4 29.7 5.42 18 690
15 4 26.3 5.73 19 710
25 4 27.4 5.6 17.5 660
35 4 28 5.64 19.5 780
50 4 22.6 5.67 18 800
Table 3
In an example embodiment, Table 4 and Table 5 illustrate a comparison between the first stage unit and second stage unit of the purifier 100 in terms of final waste and recovery of water.

Reading Time Split Time Final Waste
TDS pH Temperature Quantity
Minute Minutes ppm Degree Celsius ml
5 4 925 7.34 17.5 1100
15 4 1013 7.41 19.5 1200
25 4 1076 7.35 18 910
35 4 1140 7.46 18 800
50 4 1145 7.23 18.5 680
Table 4

Reading Time Split Time % recovery % recovery Total % recovery
1st Stage Unit 2nd Stage Unit
Minute Minutes % % %
10 4 30.08 26.95 57.03
20 4 29.26 26.30 55.56
30 4 33.47 27.97 61.44
40 4 32.19 33.48 65.67
50 4 35.37 34.93 70.31
Table 5

In an example embodiment, Table 6 illustrates pH balancing and mineral balancing performed by the purifier 100 such that the pure water as output from the purifier 100 has a balanced pH and mineral additions.

Mineral Addition and pH Balancing
Reading Time pH Balancing Mineral Balancing TDS
Minute ppm
15 7.8 150
25 7.9 180
35 8 130
45 7.8 160
55 8.1 190
Table 6

In an example embodiment, Table 7 illustrates the initial flow and pressure of the inlet water supplied to purifier 100 at the first stage unit and the second stage unit through the supply pipeline.
Inlet TDS 550-650ppm
Time Inlet
Pressure Flow
in minutes in PSI in LPH
0 25 65
10 15 55
23 12.5 55
35 10 55
49 12.5 70
65 15 65
Table 7

In an example embodiment, Table 8 illustrates the TDS, pH, temperature, and quantity of water obtained after passing through the first stage unit of the purifier 100.

Reading Time Split Time First Stage Unit
TDS pH Temperature Quantity
Minute Minutes ppm Degree Celsius ml
10 4 20 5.76 19 810
20 4 25 5.39 18.5 880
30 4 15 5.89 18 860
40 4 26 6.56 18 910
50 4 19 5.85 19 890
Table 8

In an example embodiment, Table 9 illustrates the TDS, pH, temperature, and quantity of water obtained after passing through the second stage unit of the purifier 100.

Reading Time Split Time Second Stage Unit
TDS pH Temperature Quantity
Minute Minutes Ppm Degree Celsius ml
10 4 31.51 5.81 18 840
20 4 22.45 5.99 19 790
30 4 26.55 5.6 17.5 880
40 4 23.65 6.32 19.5 930
50 4 22.65 6.11 18 870
Table 9

In an example embodiment, Table 10 and Table 11 illustrate a comparison between the first stage unit and second stage unit of the purifier 100 in terms of final waste and recovery of water.

Reading Time Split Time Final Waste
TDS pH Temperature Quantity
Minute Minutes Ppm Degree Celsius ml
10 4 1450 7.34 17.5 1150
20 4 1550 7.41 19.5 1050
30 4 1780 7.35 18 800
40 4 1900 7.46 18 850
50 4 1930 7.23 18.5 700
Table 10

Reading Time Split Time % recovery % recovery Total % recovery
1st Stage unit 2nd Stage unit
Minute Minutes % % %
10 4 28.93 30.00 58.93
20 4 32.35 29.04 61.40
30 4 33.86 34.65 68.50
40 4 33.83 34.57 68.40
50 4 36.18 35.37 71.54
Table 11
In an example embodiment, Table 12 illustrates pH balancing and mineral balancing performed by the purifier 100 such that the pure water as output from the purifier 100 has a balanced pH and mineral additions.
Mineral Addition and pH Balancing
Reading Time pH Balancing Mineral Balancing TDS
Minute ppm
15 7.8 90
25 7.6 140
35 7.75 100
45 7.55 110
55 7.9 130
Table 12
In an example embodiment, Table 13 and Table 14 illustrate the pressure and water output of existing purifiers (referred to as “Treated 1st Systems”) and to the purifier 100 (referred to as the “Treated 2nd System”) through the supply pipeline.

Treated 1st Systems
Time (in Hour) Brand 1 Brand 2 Brand 3 Brand 4
Pressure Recovery Pressure Recovery Pressure Recovery Pressure Recovery
1 70 35 50 30 50 25 50 20
2 90 40 90 40 70 30 60 25
3 100 45 110 50 65 35 65 25
4 110 45 0 SF 70 30 70 30
5 140 50 0 SF 70 35 65 25
6 0 SF 0 SF 65 30 70 35
7 0 SF 0 SF 60 30 65 30
8 0 SF 0 SF 75 35 60 30
Table 13
Note- ‘SF’ stands for System Failure due to high Pressure.
Time (in Hour) Treated 2nd System
Pressure Recovery
1 50 65
2 60 65
3 65 67.5
4 60 70
5 65 75
6 55 72.5
7 50 70
8 65 75
Table 14
As would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, this data is provided merely as an example and therefore it should not be construed as limiting in any way.
Thus, as can be gathered from the tables 1-14, the water purifier 100 provides high recovery of product water, controlled pressure and water scaling, real-time monitoring, and production of pH balanced and mineral rich potable water.
The advantages of the invention include, but are not limited to, achieving improvement in yield of water by providing the two RO units configured in series and parallel. The retentate from the first RO unit 102 is fed as input to the second RO unit 104 after passing through the adsorbent unit 106, and parallel through the non-return valve 108 to get an additional yield of potable water. The water purifier 100 includes mechanisms, such as piping unit or pumps for maintaining required flow and appropriate pressure level of feed water at different stages (1001, 1002 and 1003), to get a high yield of pure water and increase the life of the semipermeable membranes. The water purifier 100 includes filters to maintain mineral concentration and pH level by mixing with partially treated water within the purifier 100. Thus, the water purifier 100 reduces wastage of water up to 80% under normal conditions.
The water purifier 100 includes a plurality of sensors (110, 112, 130, 132, 134, 136, 150, 152, 154, 156 and 158) and is communicatively coupled with the control unit 106 for real time monitoring. The plurality of sensors (110, 112, 130, 132, 134, 136, 150, 152, 154, 156 and 158) detects various parameters of the multi-stage water purifier 100 such as assimilation of dirt, scaling, water pressure, etc., and parameters of the filtered water such as pH level, mineral level, etc. Therefore, the water purifier of the present disclosure is simple in construction, cost-effective, operation-effective, reduces waste water and generates high yield of portable water even under high pressure conditions.
While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.

I CLAIM:

1. A water purifier (100) comprising:
a first Reverse Osmosis (RO) unit (102) adapted to receive water from an inlet feed pipeline (118);
a second RO unit (104) adapted to receive water from at least the inlet feed pipeline (118);
an adsorbent unit (106) disposed downstream to the first RO unit (102) and adapted to:
receive wastewater from the first RO unit (102); and
filter the received wastewater for introducing the filtered wastewater to the second RO unit (104); and
a non-return valve (108) disposed between the inlet feed pipeline (118) and the second RO unit (104), and adapted to control water flow and maintain adequate back pressure on a feed side of the second RO unit (104),
wherein the first RO unit (102) and the second RO unit (104) are adapted to operate either in series or in parallel for filtering water, based on a position of the non-return valve (108).

2. The water purifier (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second RO unit (104) is adapted to receive feed of the waste water of the first RO unit (102) filtered through the adsorbent unit (106), when the first RO unit (102) and the second RO unit (104) are operating in series.

3. The water purifier (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
a high-pressure switch (110) disposed between the first RO unit (102) and the adsorbent unit (106), and adapted to detect pressure; and
a flow controller (112) disposed between the high-pressure switch (110) and the adsorbent unit (106), and adapted to control flow of water for filtration in the adsorbent unit (106), based on the detected pressure.

4. The water purifier (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising
a first pump (114) disposed between the inlet feed pipeline (118) and the first RO unit (102); and
a second pump (116) disposed between the inlet feed pipeline (118) and the second RO unit (104).

5. The water purifier (100) as claimed in claim 4, comprising an Ultra-Violet (UV) and Ultra filtration (UF) unit (124) connected to the second pump (116) and adapted to:
receive the filtered wastewater from the adsorbent unit (106) through the second pump (116); and
remove impurities from the received water, wherein the impurities comprising one of particulate matter and pathogenic organisms.

6. The water purifier (100) as claimed in claim 5, comprising:
a first Mph cartridge unit (126) disposed downstream to the first RO unit (102) and adapted to:
receive pure water from the first RO unit (102); and
control taste and mineral concentration of the pure water; and
a second Mph cartridge unit (128) disposed downstream to the second RO unit (104) and adapted to:
receive pure water from the second RO unit (104); and
control taste, mineral concentration of the pure water.

7. The water purifier (100) as claimed in claim 6, comprising:
a water quality sensor (130) disposed between the filtration unit (124) and a pipe connecting the first Mph cartridge unit (126) and the second Mph cartridge unit (128), and adapted to detect at least one of a level of Ph, total dissolved solids, taste, and mineral concentration of the water received from the filtration unit (124); and
a flow controller (132) adapted to control the flow of water for filtration in the first Mph cartridge unit (128) and the second Mph cartridge unit (128).

8. The water purifier (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
a high-pressure switch (134) disposed downstream to the second RO unit (104), and adapted to detect pressure; and
a flow controller (136) disposed downstream to the second RO unit (104), and adapted to control flow of the wastewater exiting the second RO unit (104), based on the detected pressure.

9. The water purifier (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
a first micron filter (138) adapted to receive inlet water from supply line and remove dirt and sand particles from the inlet water;
a second micron filter (140) adapted to receive water from the first micron filter (138) and remove dirt and sand particles from the received water; and
an activated carbon filter (142) adapted to receive water from the second micron filter (140), adsorb organic matter from the received water and supply pre-treated feed water to the first pump (114).

10. The water purifier (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a control unit (160) adapted to be in communication with at least one of the high pressure switch (110), the flow controller (112), the sensor (130), the flow controller (132), the high pressure switch (134), the flow controller (136), a solenoid valve (150), a inlet valve (152), a first low pressure switch (154), a second low pressure switch (156), and a third low pressure switch (158), the control unit (160) adapted to:
receive, in real time, details relating to quality of water at different stages in the water purifier; and
control operation of at least one of the high pressure switch (110), the flow controller (112), the sensor (130), the flow controller (132), the high pressure switch (134), the flow controller (136), the solenoid valve (150), the inlet valve (152), the first low pressure switch (154), the second low pressure switch (156), and the third low pressure switch (158), based on the received details.

11. A water purifier (100) comprising:
a first Reverse Osmosis (RO) unit (102) adapted to receive water from an inlet feed pipeline (118);
a second RO unit (104) adapted to receive water from at least the inlet feed pipeline (118);
an adsorbent unit (106) disposed downstream to the first RO unit (102) and adapted to:
receive wastewater from the first RO unit (102); and
filter the received wastewater for introducing the filtered wastewater to the second RO unit (104);

a non-return valve (108) disposed between the inlet feed pipeline (118) and the second RO unit (104), and adapted to control water flow and maintain adequate back pressure on a feed side of the second RO unit (104), wherein the first RO unit (102) and the second RO unit (104) are adapted to operate either in series or in parallel for filtering water, based on a position of the non-return valve (108); and

a control unit (160) adapted to be in communication with at least one of the first RO unit (102), the second RO unit (104), the adsorbent unit (106), and the non-return valve (108), the control unit (160) adapted to:
receive, in real time, details relating to quality of water at different stages in the water purifier; and
control operation of at least one of the first RO unit (102), the second RO unit (104), the adsorbent unit (106), and the non-return valve (108), based on the received details.